KUALA LUMPUR (May 27): Rewarding political loyalties is unacceptable and sends a dangerous message to the public, said a think tank following Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s remark that political appointments can be justified as rewards for party service.

Anwar was reported to have said that political appointments made by a government to qualified individuals should be allowed, as they do not constitute an abuse of power.

A Malay Mail report on May 24 cited Anwar during his winding-up speech at the PKR National Congress, who said appointments are a “reward” that individuals deserve for their service and contributions to the success of the political party that eventually forms the government.

“This narrative sends a dangerous message that public roles can be handed out like political souvenirs, rather than earned through merit and competence,” the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS) said in a statement.

IDEAS stated that political appointments are not favours to be exchanged with positions of public trust that carry real responsibilities. The think tank added that all appointments should be based on merit, integrity, and professional experience, rather than political backgrounds.

IDEAS stated that only a transparent and performance-driven process can ensure that public institutions are led by individuals capable of serving the people effectively.

IDEAS said that state owned enterprises (SOEs) are meant to implement national policies and provide essential services, rather than political patronage. 

With over 1,800 SOEs in Malaysia, many posing significant fiscal risk, even a few poorly governed institutions also can lead to serious economic damage,it added.

“Appointing capable, ethical, and experienced directors is not just a good practice; it is a national economic necessity,” IDEAS said.

“No matter the justification, we should never normalise appointments to public bodies being handed out as political gifts. While there are political realities that the prime minister must deal [with], transparency, accountability and good governance are not principles that can be compromised. The lack of transparency in political appointments erodes trust in democracy, fuels public cynicism, and opens the door to abuse,” said IDEAS chief executive officer Aira Azhari.

Another think tank, the Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4 Center), strongly condemned the prime minister’s remarks, warning that if he openly endorses rewarding loyalty with political appointments, it sets a precedent that could encourage similar practices across all political parties and coalitions.

Anwar’s remarks suggest that loyalty to his political interests is transactional, and that he is willing to reward it with positions of power.

C4 Center called the comment “farcical and deserving of ridicule”, but said it also shows a disturbing lack of interest in tackling the widespread corruption and cronyism in Malaysia’s political culture.

C4 Centre said his comments encourage politicians to use political appointments as bargaining chips, rather than opportunities to benefit Malaysians.

The think tank also cited the National Anti-Corruption Strategy 2024-2028 (NACS), launched by Anwar’s government, which acknowledges that appointment processes are vulnerable to corruption risks.